The Scientificization of Race: The Pseudoscientific Character of the Disciplines

Abstract

The naturalization of race and attempts by certain scientific disciplines to develop a racial hierarchy are part of the history of science. This paper analyses a number of disciplines that belong to the so-called “scientific racism” in order to justify its pseudo-scientific character both from a diachronic perspective and from a synchronic perspective, paying special attention to the development of an essentialist concept of race. First, criteria are addressed to identify pseudosciences, as well as features that these present. Next, the disciplines under study are analyzed, focusing on the moments of transition from one to the other. After that, it is concluded that the disciplines studied were affected by prejudices and a strong racial ideology that directly affect their pseudoscientific status.
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